A theatre arts teacher at Crockett High School received a surprise April 4 when she was selected as the 2016 High School Teacher of the Year. Chistina Burbank of Crockett High received a classroom visit from Superintendent Paul Cruz, announcing her accomplishment. The Teacher of the Year award is one of the highest honors AISD gives to its teachers, according to an AISD release. Burbank has taught at Crockett for seven years and has a total of 14 years in teaching. During her time as a theatre arts teacher, the Crockett Theater troupe won a national award in group acting at the 2015 National Thespian Festival. AISD Crockett christina burbank Crockett High School teacher Christina Burbank was selected April 4 as the Austin ISD High School Teacher of the Year.[/caption] "Working with my theatre kids is why I get out of bed every day," Burbank said in a release. "They are my morning coffee ... the good, the bad and everything in between is why I became a teacher. Theatre, dance, art and music place the students' attention on something bigger than themselves."
AISD also recognized Allison Ashley from Perez Elementary School as Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Katherine Martin of Webb Middle School as Middle School Teacher of the Year. On May 17, during AISD's "Salute: A Tribute to Excellence" award ceremony, one of the three teachers of the year will be selected as the Austin Teacher of the Year, who will be AISD's nominee for Texas Teacher of the Year.